So we went to the museum and mainly I wanted to see the Ghenghis Khan exhibit. It was very informative and well done and I enjoyed it very much. Every where else in the museum was so crowded by the munchkin types that over ran the place that day. (Do I sound like a crotchety old lady? Why, I believe I do!)
One of the displays talked about the ger, or yurt, those roving marauders (and present day herders) used as their living abodes. A ger is essentially a felted tent. The museum volunteers proceeded to explain how the wool was felted (using ‘mother felt’ from falling apart clothing) with the lanolin retained in the wool to preserve the water proofing. Made sense to me, even though I hadn't heard of 'mother felt' before.
Some of their hygiene habits…ick! They really did wear their clothes til they fell apart and off.
Other interesting textilian pieces of the exhibit included two silk garments and a leather coat found on the mummified remains of what is imagined to be a wealthy woman from the 11-12th century. On the silk dresses? I could still see the woven patterns. And I could still see they were beautiful. Isn’t that something?
So. We see what we want to see and go where we want to go and eat a bit and see the movie and before we get ready to leave, Wonderful Guy suggests we stop in the museum gift shop. We used to buy souvenirs regularly, but not so much now. Why, heck! They hardly ever sell yarn in those places!
But this time, in honor of the Mongolian artifacts, and the time honored tradition of living in gers, the gift shop offered a selection of how-to-felt kits, and some books on felting, which..caught my eye.
Yes. It’s true. In the tradition of Ghengis Khan, scourge of Asia, fearsome ruler of the largest empire of history to that date, legendary law maker and innovative leader, I could have memorialized my viewing of the Mongolian artifacts with a book showing me how to felt little wool eggs, and catnip balls.
Awesome.
DSis has suggested I could do something with this year harvest of catnip for Atomic Sisters. Hmmm...Khan's Catnip Kitty Teasers?
1 day ago
10 comments:
Not too long ago, I visited the Cooper-Hewitt museum in NYC for their "Fashioning Felt" exhibit. Inside, they had a yurt (among other things). It was truly a wonderful exhibit with plenty of fashion and industrial type applications of the material, as well as some great historical background information on the textile.
Not sure if it's a traveling exhibit, I linked up to the NY Times article in regards to it. Hope you find it interesting:)
Oh...I love museum gift shops, but you're right -- I seldom see yarn for sale.
It's so great that you and Wonderful Guy enjoy getting out and about (unlike some homebody types I know). I don't know how you have time to spin and knit and quilt (and felt!), what with all the gallivanting and the job and such.
Khan's Catnip Kitty Teasers - sign me up! Can you have those ready for holiday gifts? Cats Pete and Buddy would be thrilled. :)
Khan's Catnip Kitty Teasers? That may just have to be my very first Etsy purchase if you do make them.
No, make that will be, not may be.
It seems you have tapped a heretofore unknown market!!
Khan's Catnip Kitty Teasers! the name alone makes me want them.
I am laughing from envisioning a 'label' for the catnip toys. Genghis (who I think probably sould look like Yul Brynner) playing with his kitties and testifying that his kitties miss him less when he is out pillaging etc when they have the benefit of katnip kitty treats!
I mean teasers!
I am fascinated by the Mongols. As I read history and about their invasion, I often think that I would have been so afraid of them, I might have met them on their way to my village, offering them tea or something--not that it woudl have mattered. They were a fearsome bunch! So funny that they might inspire a catnip toy!! C
Thanks so much for the wonderful comments. Your blog is great - I'll like to it on mine.
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